Change Your Image
AnP_VelvetSkies
Reviews
Gekijôban Spy x Family Code: White (2023)
It Meets Expectations
Spy x Family: Code White was the first anime movie I ever watched in theaters. Normally I'm not the biggest fan of anime show movies because they tend not to add to the series (they aren't cannon and can't expand on a story that well in such a short time), but this show utilizes the narrative of the past two series perfectly to execute a decent movie. Sure, some moments are a bit odd, especially the Anya's storyline with the bad guys, but for the most part, there were wholesome moments all around. It was faithful to everything else and had one or two stand-out moments. It's constructed in a way where even if you've never seen the series, you can still enjoy the movie, which I appreciate (even though I've watched both seasons - and so did my mom cuz she watched it too). The animation and action scenes are well choreographed. The movie felt more like an arc than anything else, but at the end of the day, I found it to be fine. It's not much greater than "fine", but it's certainly enough to get you by if you've been waiting for a season three. All characters not only showed up, but performed their roles well. 8/10 is very fair for the movie. While it was no-where near perfect and had a few weak points (regarding generic/plot convenient moments), the strong scenes where it counted the most were done right and with some pizazz. I will say it was nice to see Spy X Family on the big screen.
Acchi Kocchi (2012)
A chibi, slice of life done well
In a sea of generic, poorly written and overdone characteristics lies a diamond in the rough. Does this show go over the top to deliver something amazing? No. Is it at least enjoyable, relaxing, cute, calming and a breath of fresh air for its era? Yes. With a bunch of the main characters' friends having a good time the only way they know how, by episode two, you know you're in for some decent laughs. To be fair, it's a simple series done right. The chibi art style was great. The characters were definitely expressive enough. I had almost no issues with how things ended up.
A seven rating fairly reflects the average, standard material flooding each episode. It's no secret that this show didn't try going above and beyond. Nor did it need to. It was fine as it was, with shy and sweet moments making this show something to remember.
Zetsuen No Tempest (2012)
Attempting to find its place in a genre of higher standards
The show does provide an interesting premise, although the speed of progression is very slow. The characters are alright and the plot itself is interesting, but I do believe the show could've been condensed into less episodes. To capture the sense of hopelessness so well in a series is nothing less than admirable. While the pace may be slow, the writing does pull through in the end, handing you a very real and bitter perspective on a world slipping through the hands of humanity. In the end, I was fairly impressed with how the show worked itself out.
Overall, I'm giving this series a seven for its decent ability in relaying a story, be it nothing incredible. For a majority of the series, I had my doubts, worried if some childish interactions would leave me underwhelmed. It turns out, I was modestly satisfied, from the conclusion to the character development. The finale may have felt lacking, a bit generic one might say, though nothing incredibly flat. While I can understand others not being as willing as I to complete the series. I was content with how things subsided.
Kemeko derakkusu! (2008)
On par for its time period, though still not good
From the absolute rubbish that is the art style, to the poor animation techniques seemingly perpetually attempting to cut corners, very little visually amounts to much. This odd, dysfunctional and overwhelmingly unsettling series overuses generic tropes to the bitter end, leaving a poor taste in the mouths of nearly any viewer that crosses paths. Its minimalistic plotline as well as its very dull slice of life moments bare minimal fruit, loosing the attention of many in the process. While references decades old are thrown into the mix, and I am impressed to an extent by what the writers came up with, it can't compensate for the sheer weight of negative material perpetually mixed in. What I can appreciate is the attempt at some semblance of a real romantic relationship. My issue is not necessarily even the romance's continuity but its consistency throughout the series. That and the lack of growth it had, likely attributed to a poor overall setup.
A final rating of five was given for its shotty attempts at displaying something better than what it could rightfully handle. Especially for its time period, to ask anything of a series in the ecchi genre feels like a lost cause. This series was no worse an example than any other. At the very least, I was not appalled or deeply offended by the lack of thought put into each character.
Steven Universe (2013)
Critiquing an A list kids show
I've seen this show many times over IN FULL, and as a child, I've found it incredibly compelling. As an adult, my stance has not changed, however I am now more aware of the flaws within it. By no means is this a show for everyone. From the very over the top progressive imagery in a kids show to the heaps of fluff all throughout seasons 3, 4 and 5, this show clearly is not the best for its time. Now, that does not mean it cannot attempt to act like a show like "Adventure Time", expanding most of its secondary and background characters to the maximum in the process. Always in the shadow of greater series, it had an immense amount of competition to deal with. How it handled its growing fandom left me impressed. A movie made very quickly for fans who'd been waiting in anticipation post S5. This may not have looked perfect to everybody, catching some flack in the meantime from those who believed they'd rush the final product, but it definitely let their resolve to deliver resonate with most fans. To say that every episode hit strongly is an overstatement, though many moments as well as many songs hone quality greater than the sum of its parts. Many took "Steven Universe: Future" as either a sixth season, an addition to the main series or a blemish on what was once decent. That section along with everything else is not for me to rate on your behalf, nor is it for me to watch on your behalf. The series creates incredible storylines, addresses serious issues one wouldn't normally find in a children's series, and slowly focuses on the bigger picture all while developing what characters loom about.
As for the rating, an eight perfectly suits this finely crafted series. The amount of flaws it has accurately reflects the rating given.